Criminal Defense

Accused of a crime in Teaneck or Hackensack?

When accused of a criminal offense, there are few decisions as important as choosing your Bergen County criminal defense lawyer. At The Law Offices of Benjamin Kelsen, we have provided skilled support to many other law firms in serious criminal cases, and you can come directly to the source and talk to us directly. We have the experience, trial skills and commitment to our clients’ cases that is unmatched in the legal community. You need this level of dedication when you are facing the possibility of a conviction on a felony or misdemeanor charge. The outcome of your case will be heavily influenced by the skill of your defense attorney. We have the courtroom talent you really need when you are facing legal danger.

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Hackensack

Our commitment to the case begins from the moment of your arrest. In fact, there are actions that can be taken prior to formal charges being filed, but this requires that you retain our services at once if you are arrested. We urge you to stay completely silent until we arrive, including any phone calls to other parties including a discussion of your case. There is much attention on getting further evidence and statements to convict you and the skill with which this is done can be impressive. This leads us to our urging you to stay silent. When we arrive, we will ensure that your rights are fully protected and will begin the actions for your defense right away. We are skilled in the courtrooms of both the state and federal criminal justice systems, and “know the ropes” with regard to case presentation, discovery, using expert witnesses and all other aspects of criminal law.

Appeals
For those that are convicted of a crime they did not commit or that they are being penalized too harshly for, there is still the chance to appeal the conviction through the appellate court. Rather than a new trial taking place, the previous one will be reviewed and if the court decides to, they can overturn the previous ruling, releasing the defendant of charges.

Assault/Battery
Assault is defined as the threat of physical violence towards another individual. There does not need to be any physical contact but there is the belief or threat of it and the individual doing so will have the means of causing harm. There must be reason to suspect they are capable of violence. Battery is the actual carrying out of these threats, through which physical harm is caused, even if it is not extensive. These charges can be devastating and lead to serious consequences.

Child Abuse
Child abuse is any type of physical, mental, sexual, or emotional abuse towards a child. Facing these charges is difficult and for those that are innocent or being charged more severely than they should be, defense is important. Not only are there the legal consequences to avoid, a conviction of this kind can be socially damaging when word gets out.

Domestic Violence
Have you been charged with domestic violence? If you are convicted, you may be facing jail time, fines and restitution. After an arrest, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected and your freedoms aggressively defended.

Drug Crimes
Drug crimes can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what types of drugs were involved and the amount. The type of drug is one of the most important factors that the court looks at, as well as the amount that is found. Illegal actions include trafficking, possession, distribution and more and these can all come with varying penalties that will be decided upon by the court.

DWI
A DWI can be issued against those that an officer believes are driving while intoxicated. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and leaves many people facing criminal charge they would never have suspected. While this crime may not be looked at as seriously by some, it can actually result in jail time, expensive fines and more that will depend on factors of the case. When previous DWIs have already been issued or the accused has an extremely high BAC level, the consequences may increase.

Embezzlement
Embezzlement is a white collar crime that involves a person or employee in a position of trust taking money. This crime may be committed by any number of people, including those that are not often suspected. Charges will depend on the amount of money that is involved with the crime and any other related factors.

Expungement
If you made a mistake in your past, a conviction on your criminal record can haunt you for life. There are ways, however, to get your record cleared and start over with a clean slate. Through an expungement it can be as if the crime did not occur and the information will no longer be open to public access. This includes not showing up on background checks run by prospective employers.

Federal Crimes
Tax evasion, kidnapping, counterfeiting, fraud, and drug crimes are all examples of federal crimes. If you were accused of this crime, you could be investigated by federal organizations like the FBI.

Indictable Charges
In New Jersey, indictable offenses are the most serious crimes. Depending on the level of seriousness, they are charged from fourth degree to first degree. Those that are convicted of these can have their life put on hold and there goals overlooked. Defending your freedom is imperative.

Internet Crimes
Internet crimes or cybercrimes are gaining in frequency. Internet sex crimes, theft crimes, white collar crimes, and stalking are just some of the examples of accusations people face. In these crimes there may also be a trail of evidence that is stored online that can make if more challenging for the accused to defend themselves.

Juvenile Crimes
Children under the legal age of 18 will have their case handled in the juvenile court, except for some instances where the court rules that the minor should be tried as an adult. Juvenile cases may be able to seek alternatives since the court often hopes to correct behavior rather than punish if it is possible.

Rape
If you were accused of rape, your reputation could be damaged for the rest of your life. A conviction could lead to jail time, steep fines, and permanently registering as a sex offender. Rape is considered the most serious sex crime that includes actual penetration of the victim. There are a number of defenses to rape charges and some may be falsely accused when the other individual involved did in fact consent to the incident at the time.

RICO Charges
RICO stands for Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act. Violations of this act are federal offenses and are usually related to organized crime.

Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is highly prosecuted by the courts and this sex crime can lead to a detrimental conviction. Penalties for sexual assault include: state prison for up to twenty years, fines, rehabilitation, life parole, and sex offender registration.

Solicitation
Prostitution is the act of exchanging sexual acts for money and is illegal in New Jersey. Soliciting the services of a prostitute is also illegal and those found on either side of the fence may deal with law enforcement as a result. In these cases, having both parties consent is besides the fact if there was some sort of exchange for the event occurring in the first place.

Theft Crimes
Theft is the act of taking something from the rightful owner or depriving them from it for person benefit or to restrict them from its use. Depending on the amount stolen, theft crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. If the amount stolen is above $75,000, then it is a second degree felony and punishable by up to ten years in prison. Even misdemeanor charges can lead to life impacting penalties that should be avoided at all costs.

Violent Crimes
Violent crimes range from assault to battery to sexual battery to homicide and murder. These crimes are serious and could result in heavy penalties. They may include the threat to harm an individual or another, but in more serious crimes will include actual physical contact. When injury is sustained as a result the penalties will steepen, as well as when a weapon is used.

White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes get their name from the fact that they are usually committed within a business environment. Fraud, bribery, tax evasion, identity theft, and money laundering are just a few examples of possible offenses. These crimes can put many business men in the hot seat and in need of defending themselves from criminal charges they may have never believed they’d face. A criminal record is important to avoid for many reasons including the long term effects that remain even after a sentence is over.

What are the Consequences of a Conviction?
Each crime varies, as does its penalties. Smaller to more serious felony charges all can be detrimental to the freedom and life of a suspect. If you were convicted of any criminal offense, it will remain on your permanent record and you could be facing fees, fines, and jail/prison time.

Benjamin G. Kelsen, Esq.

Aggressive & Uncompromising Legal Representation

Over 13 Years of Experience

Member:
New Jersey Bar Association
Bergen County Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Association of Trial Lawyers of America - New Jersey

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Charged with a Crime?

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.